New shopfronts

Traditional and heritage shop fronts

A traditional or heritage shop front is a frontage built or restored in the style of its period, usually in painted timber with pilasters, console brackets, a cornice, a panelled stall riser and slim glazing bars. It follows the proportions of the building, not a modern catalogue section.

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Restored Victorian shopfront with carved corbels

When is this the right choice?

This is the right choice for listed buildings, conservation areas and streets where original features survive, and for owners who want to put back what an earlier refit removed. It suits independent traders, former banks now used as restaurants, and landlords with period parades. It takes longer and costs more than a standard front, because research, matched mouldings and consent all come first.

What are the options?

Like-for-like restorationOriginal pilasters, consoles and cornices are repaired and kept, with new timber spliced in only where decay has gone too far.

Period reconstructionA lost frontage is rebuilt from old photographs, surviving fragments and the evidence in neighbouring buildings.

Matched mouldingsProfiles are copied from existing sections, so new work sits correctly beside the old.

Traditional stall risersPanelled timber, glazed tile or stone can be matched to the age of the building.

Slim or secondary glazingWhere heat loss is an issue, slim sealed units or internal secondary glazing may be possible, subject to consent.

Hand-painted fasciaSign-written or gilded lettering on a painted fascia keeps the frontage in period, and it is often preferred in sensitive locations.

How much does a traditional or heritage shop front cost?

Expect £5,995 to £14,995 ex VAT for a typical frontage, supplied and fitted. The amount of surviving fabric, matched mouldings, period ironmongery, sign-writing and specialist glass all move the price. So does the time needed for drawings, a heritage statement and the application. Any application fees are separate, and listed work can only start once the consent it needs is in place.

Guide prices exclude VAT. Your written quote is fixed after survey.

What is the specification?

Consents	Listed building consent where listed, and planning permission where the appearance changes
Timber	Durable hardwood, or timber matched to the original
Glass	Laminated or toughened safety glass in new panes, with restoration glass where required
Glazing bars	Slim profiles matched to the original section
Paint	Microporous or linseed paint systems in a period colour scheme
Typical lead time	8 to 14 weeks after consent (typical range)

How does the job run?

Research the building
We check listing status and conservation area position, then gather old photographs and record any surviving fabric.
Prepare the application
Scaled drawings and section details are prepared to support any planning or listed building application, with the decision resting with the council.
Repair and make
Sound original parts are repaired, and new sections are made to match the surviving profiles.
Install and paint
The frontage is assembled with care around original fabric, then painted and sign-written to the agreed scheme.

Common questions

Do I need listed building consent for a new shopfront?

Yes, if the building is listed and the work affects its special character. Doing that work without consent is a criminal offence. Planning permission may also be needed. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland run their own systems, so we confirm the route for your building.

My shop is in a conservation area. What changes?

Expect closer scrutiny of materials, detail and signs. The council will usually look for a design that preserves or improves the character of the area, and some areas have extra controls on small changes. We can prepare drawings, though the decision stays with the council.

Can a heritage shopfront meet access rules?

Usually, with care. The Equality Act 2010 requires reasonable adjustments in England, Scotland and Wales, and Northern Ireland uses the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. Options include a portable ramp, a wider door leaf or a gently sloped lobby, and the conservation officer should be involved early.

How do you match old mouldings?

We take a profile from the surviving timber and have a matching section made. Where nothing survives, we look at old photographs and neighbouring frontages of the same period. The drawings show each profile, so the conservation officer can comment before anything is cut.

How long does a heritage shopfront take?

Allow longer than for a standard front: a typical 8 to 14 weeks of making after consent, plus the time the council takes to decide. Delays usually come from missing information, so we prepare the drawings and details carefully before you submit.

Which materials go with this?

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